August 20th

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Ashley showed some encouraging signs this weekend. It all boils down to that myelin regrowing and that the 'connections' that are re-established allowing for the mental and motor portions of her brain to coordinate in a visible task.

Mary read a chapter from a book that was a gift to Ashley. It was obvious that Ashley was listening and comprehending since she responded with giggles to appropriate passages.

While Ashley is not yet responding to commands the movements of her arms and legs are becoming more frequent and fluid (less rigid).

On the nutrition front Ashley is moving from an constant drip feed to scheduled feedings. These are still directly to her stomach via the 'peg' and is referred to as a bolus feeding. This is also how she 'drinks' water.

One major challenge for Ashley is the temporary 'capping' of her trachea tube for speech therapy. Breathing through the trach tube means very little air passes by her vocal cords. Ashley breaths on her own, and the 'collar' (an inflated balloon between the trach tube and the wall of her trachea) is deflated so some air is already is passing through her nose and mouth all the time. Yet even when Ashley is prepared for the 'capping' the sensation of breathing only through her nose and mouth feels different and creates anxiety.

For the next couple days they are just going to talk about the goals of capping in hopes that Ashley will be a bit more settled when they resume.

Please continue to pray that Ashley's myelin regrows rapidly and completely, and that she has a full recovery.